Introduction
Latakia (Al
ladhiqiyah) Is main sea-port of Syria on the Mediterranean. It is
situated on the low-lying Ra's Ziyarah promontory that projects into
the Mediterranean Sea. It was known to the Phoenicians as Ramitha
and to the Greeks as Leuke Akte. Its present name is a
corruption of Laodicea, for the mother of Seleucus II (3rd
century BC).Latakia lies 186 km southwest of
Aleppo,
186 km northwest of Homs and 348 km northwest of
Damascus.
(Latakia
Location Map)

Latakia has retained its importance since ancient times. As Latakia
is the sea-gate to Syria, It is well-provided with accommodation, and
is well-placed as a base from which to explore the coastal regions of
the country. There are beaches, mountains, archaeological sites and
many relics of the Crusaders, all within a few hours from each other.

History
Ancient Ramitha replaced the earlier settlement of Ugarit
(Ras Shamra) to the north, which was destroyed in the 12th century
BC. Latakia only came to prominence in the wake of Alexander
the Great's conquest, when is was transformed into a major city of
the Seleucid empire. Renamed in honour of Loadicea,
the mother of Alexander the Great's general Seleucus I Nicator (3rd
and 2nd centuries BC), it developed into an important port and
becoming the main supplier of wine to the Hellenistic period. The town
was briefly declared capital of Syria in the late second century AD by
Septimius Severus. Devastating earthquakes in 494 and 555 badly
damaged Latakia, but was rebuilt by Justinian. Latakia was
taken in AD 638 by the Arabs, in 1097-1103 by the crusaders, and in
1188 by Saladin. Subsequently the town was administered by
Christians from Tripoli, Muslims from
Hama, and
the Ottoman Turks; it came within the French mandate of Syria and
Lebanon in 1920.

Attractions and historical
building
Some attractions in the city include a museum, that was an
old Ottoman khan which served as the governor's residence during
the French mandate. The museum houses some interesting examples
of pottery, glassware, clay tablets from nearby Ugarit, and
contemporary paintings. Another attraction to the city is a
Roman gateway (Tetraparticus) that consists of four columns.

The Syrian seashore is about 182 km long and its numerous beaches are
distinguished by soft sand, unpolluted sea, moderate climate and clear
blue skies. The Blue Beach of Latakia is the most popular
beach on the Eastern Mediterranean. Water-skiing, jet-skiing,
and windsurfing are popular activities in this resort town.
Nearby are two hotels, the Cham Cote d'Azur Hotel and L?Merdien
Latakia Hotel.

The Syrian coast consists of long stretches of beaches and green
mountains. These mountains are mostly covered with pine
and oak trees, and their slopes touch the shore. This
landscape repeats itself from Ras Al-Basit in the north to Tartus in
the south. On the mountains, villages and towns are scattered, with
springs of clear mineral water.

Surrounding attractions, include Ugarit at Ras Shamra,
Qalaat Saladin - a formidable castle that has been well
preserved, Slunfeh, Kassab and Ras al-Bassit.

EconomyLatakia is now the principal port of Syria; it is located on a
good harbour, with an extensive agricultural hinterland. Exports
include bitumen and asphalt, cereals, cotton, fruit, eggs, vegetable
oil, pottery, and tobacco. Cotton ginning, vegetable-oil processing,
tanning, and sponge fishing are local industries. The University of
Latakia was founded in 1971 and renamed Gami't Tishrin (University
of October) in 1976. The city is linked by road to
Aleppo,
Homs,
Tripoli, and Beirut. All but a few classical buildings have
been destroyed, often by earthquakes; those remaining include a Roman
triumphal arch and Corinthian columns known as the colonnade of
Bacchus.

Latakia governorate has an area
of 887 sq mi (2,297 sq km) and embraces Syria's fertile Mediterranean
coastal area. It is an important agricultural region, producing
abundant crops of tobacco, cotton, cereal grains, and fruits.